2021 02 26
作者Article by Carol Shih 施琼薇
主的恩典足夠
主內平安，感謝主讓我到頌主堂中實習，本人施琼薇(Carol)，來自香港，現正在威克里夫神學院(Wycliffe College)攻讀道學碩士二年級，感謝你們一直以來的關顧和禱告，讓我感受不少主內的情誼。
不少朋友都關心我在多倫多的日子，我會說適應需要時間，但這段日子對我來說，滿是感恩。時間有時很緊逼，但仍有喘息的機會；疫情下在神學院主要是獨自一人，仍可到外面走動，偶爾見到同學彼此問候，透過網路上課、與家人朋友聯絡；雖不能親身到教堂聚會，但仍可透過視像參與。
當我回想過去一年多的日子，由決定到這裏讀神學走牧職的路，經歷各樣申請、疫情帶來的心理起伏和挑戰，到現在適應天氣、環境、學習、語言和文化，過程不容易，要不是有弟兄姊妹同行，日子會很難捱過去。每每想到這裏，無不讓我感謝神對自己的庇佑。正如保羅描述自己曾三次求主使他的刺離開他時，主對他說：「我的恩典是夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」雖然禱告蒙垂聽，但未蒙應允，他明白到藉着主的恩典去接受自己的軟弱，所以，他引述自己「更喜歡誇耀自己的軟弱，好使基督的能力覆庇他」(林後12:9) 這也是我心裏所感。與未信主的人一樣，我們同樣有自己的驕傲和軟弱，即便在我們祈禱時，主也不一定應允，但主的恩典足夠，讓我們能接受那困境。
這疫情也給我們不少難題。它的來臨意外地重整了社會、經濟、民生，以至教會、我們的生活都受影響，大部份人都祈求它快些過去，但它仍在，在接受之餘，當中有什麼功課？它給予教會和我們個人什麼提醒？是否我們也需要來個重整？縱然未知它何時過去，主的恩典足夠讓我們經過。日後當我們生活重回軌道，又忙碌着不同的事情，願意我們不忘記疫情帶給我們的功課。阿們。
God’s grace is sufficient
Peace be with you. I am Carol Shih from Hong Kong, and I currently have my second year of MDiv at Wycliffe College. It is grateful for me to have placement here at St Elizabeth, and share your care and prayer in Christ.
Many people have been concerned about my days in Toronto. I would say I am patient in adjusting to the new environment and feeling grateful. Although time may sometimes be tight for me, I can still have breaks. Although we keep social distancing inside the College, I can still enjoy the fresh air outside, chit-chat with students living in the College, take classes online and connect with my family and friends. Although we cannot gather in the church, we can still participate in it virtually.
When I review the past year up to now, I find it challenging if I did not have the support and prayer in Christ when pursuing my discernment under the pandemic, together with the adaptation here. I feel thankful for these always. As Paul prayed to God three times to remove his thorn, the Lord said to him, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ Although God listened to the prayer, the Lord did not answer it. Paul understood to accept his weakness through God’s grace and boasted all the more gladly for his weakness. So, the power of Christ would dwell in him. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I share his insight. Similar to people not believing in God, we are arrogant and carry our weaknesses. Even when we pray, the Lord may not answer too. However, with God’s grace, we have enough to face the challenge.
The pandemic has swiped the whole world and influenced most people. We may also pray to God for taking it away. While we are waiting for it to pass, what does it tell us? What reminder does it bring to the church and us personally? Do we also need a reformation? Although it remains, God’s grace is sufficient for us to get through it. After we return on track, we will again be occupied by different things. May we not forget the messages that the pandemic has brought to us.
Amen.